What is a technological research university?

A technological research university is defined as one in which:

  1) at least one-fourth of the student body major in engineering

  2) a majority of students are enrolled in the study of engineering, the sciences, business or mathematics;

  3) a robust graduate program exists in each of those fields;

  4) a strong research culture exists within the university; and

  5) exceptional liberal arts, humanities and social sciences degree programs thrive so as to complement and lend context to the technological strengths of the university.

  By this definition, only 16 such universities exist in the United States. They are:

  •  California Institute of Technology
  •  Clarkson University
  •  Colorado School of Mines
  •  Florida Institute of Technology
  •  Georgia Institute of Technology
  •  Illinois Institute of Technology
  •  Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  •  Michigan Technological University
  •  New Jersey Institute of Technology
  •  New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
  •  Polytechnic University
  •  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  •  South Dakota School of Mines
  •  Stevens Institute of Technology
  •  Missouri University of Science and Technology
  •  Worcester Polytechnic Institute


With the exception of the Missouri University of Science and Technology, the universities in that list have names that describe their purpose and mission. Twelve of the 16 institutions include the words "polytechnic," "technological" or "technology" in their titles.

The Case for a Name Change